Identification parade in Kidney racket has no legal value: Defence

Mumbai, Jun 28 (UNI) Defence advocate Ratanakar Singh today claimed that the identification parade in the kidney racket case had no legal value, as the witness who had identified the key accused in the case had seen their photographs published in the newspapers prior to the parade.

The witness had yesterday identified Dr Amit Kumar alias Santosh Raut and his brother Jeevan Singh, in an identification parade held at Arthur Road jail.

The witness had identified the duo as the main accused in the kidney transplant racket case and also as the two, who had allegedly promised him money for his kidney and removed it illegally.

Inspector A Gawade of Mahim police station, who is investigating the matter, however said that Ramji Srinivas Rao is a key witness as well as one of the victims, therefore if he has seen their photograph after the incident, it will not have any effect on the prosecution's case.

He said, ''We have traced him from Andhra Pradesh and in the IP he has properly identified the duo as well as recorded his statement in accordance with the law before a Special Executive Officer (SEO).'' Amit Kumar and his brother Jeevan have been brought to Mumbai in connection with the illegal removal of kidneys from two roadside food vendors in Mahim. While one of the victims has not been traced, Rao was found in Andhra Pradesh.

As the process of the parade is over now, Rao will be taken to some hospitals in and around Delhi, including Gurgaon, where his kidney was allegedly removed. This is necessary to corroborate the claim of the victim, who has alleged that Dr Amit had performed the 'illegal operation' on him, Inspector Gawade said.

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